Joe Kendrick of Pembroke qualified to run against incumbent Ed Bacon for the county commission District 1 seat last week.

Kendrick, a Democrat, said some of his friends talked him into running.

"I had thought about it a few years ago and waited until the last minute to see if anyone else was going to run," he said. "When no one else qualified, I decided I would do it this year."

Kendrick said he’s never held a political position before, but he’s seen Bryan County through many changes, having lived here since 1952.

"There are a few things that should be changed in Bryan County. One man can’t do it all but I thought I’d go ahead and run and get my feet wet," he said. "I’m going after this to win it. I’ve lived here just about all my life and I think it’s an interesting thing to get into. If I’m elected, I’ll represent the people that put me in there."

Kendrick currently owns and runs The Station, which opened in North Bryan last January.

He has three children who live in Ellabell, Chatham County and Bulloch County.

Bacon, a Republican, said a lot has been happening in Bryan County in recent years and he hopes to continue working for the country during another term.

While both Kendrick and Bacon will be on the general primary election ballot July 15, because they are running for opposite parties a winner cannot be determined until the general election Nov. 4.